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Councilmember Pete Furman in the News

Read recent news articles featuring Councilmember Pete Furman, as well as his published opinion pieces.


Council approves service agreements with out-of-area firms4 

Pete Furman
June 13, 2025

“I’m a fan of efficiency, but I don’t think I’m a fan of loosening the limits that much,” Councilman Pete Furman commented, and asked why staff had suggested a $300,000 limit on the contract value when the city manager’s discretionary spending authority is capped at $100,000.

Continue Reading Council approves service agreements with out-of-area firms4 

City to add FEMA-funded sirens in Uptown

Pete Furman
May 24, 2025

“I was looking forward to hearing the chief’s voice beamed down to me every Saturday morning at noon,but I’ll live with that disappointment,” Councilman Pete Furman said.

Continue Reading City to add FEMA-funded sirens in Uptown

Council considers staff requests to hire more staff

Pete Furman
May 20, 2025

“Are collisions and injuries and fatalities increasing?” Councilman Pete Furman asked.

Continue Reading Council considers staff requests to hire more staff

Council approves Andante path, improvements

Pete Furman
May 16, 2025

“This project really ranks high for me,” Furman said. “Maybe it’s later than it should have been, but we’re getting there.” He added that exposing the community to changes in their mobility patterns is “absolutely the right decision.”

Continue Reading Council approves Andante path, improvements

Divided council approves new lease for Villas on Shelby

Pete Furman
May 14, 2025

“I think I’m begging for two more weeks to see if we can get some outside independent advice of looking at this deal,” Councilman Pete Furman said.

Continue Reading Divided council approves new lease for Villas on Shelby

City Council blocks private sport courts

Pete Furman
May 3, 2025

Councilman Pete Furman … suggested that the city could have achieved “a much finer tuned solution” without an LDC change by modifying the noise and lighting ordinance.”

Continue Reading City Council blocks private sport courts

Council raises workforce rent cap by 13.6%

Pete Furman
April 18, 2025

“We’re not trying to compete in the marketplace. We’re trying to find that trip level,” Councilman Pete Furman said.

Continue Reading Council raises workforce rent cap by 13.6%

Council returns ADOH homelessness grant

Pete Furman
April 15, 2025

“Regional solutions are the right approach,” Councilman Pete Furman said. “We need to be good partners in the Verde Valley on this issue.”

Continue Reading Council returns ADOH homelessness grant

Sedona City Council votes 6-1 to annex 3,422 acre

Pete Furman
April 7, 2025

The Sedona City Council approved the annexation ordinance in a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Pete Furman opposed, on March 25.

Continue Reading Sedona City Council votes 6-1 to annex 3,422 acre

Council plans three Uptown kiosks, removal of trail information

Pete Furman
March 28, 2025

Councilman Pete Furman said he was “uncomfortable” with the Visitor Center giving business or restaurant recommendations instead of encouraging visitors to stay longer or directing them, but would support the contract renewal as well as the kiosks.

Continue Reading Council plans three Uptown kiosks, removal of trail information

City supports staff bid for federal housing grant

Pete Furman
March 25, 2025

“No other decisions have been made on this project except perhaps the number of units,” Councilman Pete Furman said. “With that understanding, I am supporting the project.”

Continue Reading City supports staff bid for federal housing grant

City votes to buy possible creekwalk parcel from ADOT

Pete Furman
March 11, 2025

“I hear a lot of fear from my council colleagues about development if we didn’t buy it,” Furman said. “I would ask my council colleagues for some time for our staff to really think about it instead of just reacting in fear.”

Continue Reading City votes to buy possible creekwalk parcel from ADOT

Ranger barn to retain historical character for now

Pete Furman
March 10, 2025

“I too like the old barn aroma,” Furman said. “I think I favor the wait-and-see approach as well.”

Continue Reading Ranger barn to retain historical character for now

City council moves ahead with homelessness grant

Pete Furman
March 1, 2025

In response to a ques tion from Furman, Blum said that such a “nexus to Sedona” could include employment, a previous address, school enrollment, family members who were residents or membership in a local church, within the last 90 days.

Continue Reading City council moves ahead with homelessness grant

City to buy West Sedona lot, sell 401 Jordan

Pete Furman
February 21, 2025

Councilman Pete Furman asked if commercial uses on the ground floor of any buildings would be allowed if the property were developed as a LIHTC project.

Continue Reading City to buy West Sedona lot, sell 401 Jordan

Annexation process moves ahead with 6-1 vote

Pete Furman
January 29, 2025

Councilman Pete Furman continued to protest the annexation proposal. “This to me looks like a rushed — what I will call a major change in public policy in Sedona,”

Continue Reading Annexation process moves ahead with 6-1 vote

Council rejects phased fees for single large increase

Pete Furman
December 29, 2024

The council then split as Fultz proposed implementation of the full fees, seconded by Dunn. The motion was approved 4-3, with Fultz, Dunn, Jablow and Councilman Pete Furman in favor, and Kinsella, Pfaff and Ploog in opposition.

Continue Reading Council rejects phased fees for single large increase

Creekwalk revived at council planning retreat

Pete Furman
December 27, 2024

“It’s really tremendously exciting to see that,” Councilman Pete Furman said. “We really are going to have think through the management of people … maybe there’s a transit element of access.”

Continue Reading Creekwalk revived at council planning retreat

Council settles with RD Olson to end Heritage Lodge suit

Pete Furman
December 25, 2024

The council voted 5-2 to approve the settlement agreement, with Fultz and Dunn opposed.

Continue Reading Council settles with RD Olson to end Heritage Lodge suit

Council votes 6-1 to proceed with annexation

Pete Furman
December 18, 2024

“We did a pretty good job talking about ‘the what’ and ‘the ‘how’ but not ‘the why,’” Furman said. “You leave me scratching my head about what ‘the why’ is, what the problem is we’re working to solve.”

Continue Reading Council votes 6-1 to proceed with annexation

Council looks at options to move visible homeless elsewhere

Pete Furman
December 8, 2024

PUBLISHERS NOTE: This story was updated at 8:40AM on 12/8/24 to remove an inaccurate and out of context quote by Sedona Councilman Pete Furman regarding affordable and workforce housing. This was a Sedona Red Rock News editorial error. We apologize to councilman Furman for any issues this error may have caused.

Continue Reading Council looks at options to move visible homeless elsewhere

Sedona’s new fees expected to lead the state

Pete Furman
November 25, 2024

Furman said that he was leaning toward Pfaff’s proposal of “stroking a check on projects that we want … rather than mess with the math here.”

“That’s kind of the simplest way to get where we want to go,” Furman said.

Continue Reading Sedona’s new fees expected to lead the state

Sedona City Council holds up Posse Grounds flagpole to check size and height

Pete Furman
November 18, 2024

The request for a permanent flagpole was initially made by Councilman Pete Furman, who was absent, and was presented to council by Jack Ross, president of the Sedona Area Veteran and Community Outreach nonprofit.

Continue Reading Sedona City Council holds up Posse Grounds flagpole to check size and height

City moves to swat private sport courts

Pete Furman
October 29, 2024

Furman called for a focus on “percussive noise sports” and termed pickleball “particularly disturbing,”

Continue Reading City moves to swat private sport courts

Sedona’s outrageously high pay-to-play development fees dooms workers, modest housing and workforce housing

Pete Furman
October 21, 2024

Councilman Pete Furman adroitly remarked, “When you look at this stuff, it sure looks like we’re trying to prevent housing.”

Continue Reading Sedona’s outrageously high pay-to-play development fees dooms workers, modest housing and workforce housing

Sedona City Council wise to not pursue Sedona Airport takeover

Pete Furman
October 11, 2024

We commend the Sedona City Council for its unanimous decision to refrain from taking over the Sedona Airport.

Continue Reading Sedona City Council wise to not pursue Sedona Airport takeover

Applaud four Sedona City Council members who OK’d Saddlerock Crossing and 46 workforce housing units

Pete Furman
October 11, 2024

We commend the four members of the Sedona City Council — Councilwomen Melissa Dunn and Jessica Williamson and Councilmen Brian Fultz and Pete Furman — who voted in the majority on Tuesday, Sept. 24, to approve the Saddlerock Crossing development at Soldier Pass and State Route 89A.

Continue Reading Applaud four Sedona City Council members who OK’d Saddlerock Crossing and 46 workforce housing units

Sedona’s housing fees top regional charts

Pete Furman
October 10, 2024

“When you look at this stuff, it sure looks like we’re trying to prevent housing,” Councilman Pete Furman said.

Continue Reading Sedona’s housing fees top regional charts

Potential airport takeover stalls on takeoff

Pete Furman
October 4, 2024

“I’m asking myself, what is the problem that we’re trying to solve, and I don’t see what it is,” Furman said. “I’m not sure why we would ever consider this as an option.”

Continue Reading Potential airport takeover stalls on takeoff

Saddlerock Crossing gets zone change in 4-3 vote

Pete Furman
October 1, 2024

Councilman Pete Furman said a hotel would be preferable to more STRs and called the idea of requiring developments to provide housing for all employees “dangerous, ill-conceived.”

Continue Reading Saddlerock Crossing gets zone change in 4-3 vote

Council to move ahead with 15 mph OHV speed limit

Pete Furman
September 18, 2024

Councilman Pete Furman asked whether the city’s noise ordinance could be used as an excuse to ticket OHVs for engine noise, which Christianson responded would be preempted by state statute.

Continue Reading Council to move ahead with 15 mph OHV speed limit

Schnebly roundabout underpass cost rises another $201K

Pete Furman
August 28, 2024

Agendized as a consent item, the change order was pulled for a discussion by Councilman Pete Furman.

Continue Reading Schnebly roundabout underpass cost rises another $201K

Council chooses Phoenix firm for new Cultural Park master plan

Pete Furman
August 16, 2024

“Is this going to be one big project? Is it going to be phased? Is it going to be parceled out in sort of multiple littler projects?” Councilman Pete Furman asked.

Continue Reading Council chooses Phoenix firm for new Cultural Park master plan

4-3 Sedona City Council overturns unanimous P&Z approval of Oak Creek Heritage Lodge

Pete Furman
July 5, 2024

I do think I have a high standard for overturning a P&Z recommendation … and I don’t think that burden was met tonight,” Councilman Pete Furman said. He suggested adding requirements to incorporate wildlife corridors and endangered species protections in future Land Development Code revisions.

Continue Reading 4-3 Sedona City Council overturns unanimous P&Z approval of Oak Creek Heritage Lodge

City Council unanimously supports Oak Creek crossings to relieve traffic congestion

Pete Furman
July 4, 2024

“Ditto,” Councilman Pete Furman said.

Continue Reading City Council unanimously supports Oak Creek crossings to relieve traffic congestion

City authorizes up to $18M in garage bonds

Pete Furman
June 17, 2024

“I prefer that the emergency clause be removed from this action,” Furman said. “Governments move slow for good and frustrating reasons … It also subverts the public process. We need to be very conscious of that. I don’t think that a two-week delay in interest rate risk has made the case for me that we should revert to an emergency clause … there’s a difference between can and should.”

Continue Reading City authorizes up to $18M in garage bonds

Council votes $150,000 for summer marketing

Pete Furman
June 5, 2024

Furman was opposed to any out-of-area marketing.

Continue Reading Council votes $150,000 for summer marketing

Council approves $17.5M contract for $26M garage

Pete Furman
May 24, 2024

“We’re all shocked — stressed — about the price of the garage,” Councilman Pete Furman said.

Continue Reading Council approves $17.5M contract for $26M garage

Council approves Bowers subdivision plat

Pete Furman
May 14, 2024

“I share some of the concern that maybe this isn’t the highest and best use of the property, but the owners have some rights, and we have to respect them,” Councilman Pete Furman said before asking whether it would require different work to install utilities for single-family versus multi-family development.

Continue Reading Council approves Bowers subdivision plat

City to fund 80% of visitor center for one more year

Pete Furman
April 24, 2024

“I am absolutely convinced that the Visitor Center is well run,” Councilman Pete Furman said. “But here’s the thing that keeps tripping me up. We all recognize that 5% of our visitors are coming there. But you look at the visitor intercept data that we studied from our tourism bureau, 15% of the people that are here usually or always look for one. We’re getting a third of them into our Visitor Center. Something is not right. Something isn’t working … that speaks to me that our approach isn’t right … the future of the Visitor Center looks radically different.”

Continue Reading City to fund 80% of visitor center for one more year

City council proposes local DMV to control OHVs

Pete Furman
April 20, 2024

“I was hoping to hear a little more enthusiasm from the Forest Service,” Councilman Pete Furman said. “The heavy-handed approach is just necessary.”

Continue Reading City council proposes local DMV to control OHVs

Councilmembers Interview – Podcast April 14, 2024

Pete Furman
April 14, 2024

 Steve Williamson welcomes three members of the Sedona City Council: Pete Furman, Melissa Dunn, and Brian Fultz to discuss some of the more controversial issues facing the city.

Continue Reading Councilmembers Interview – Podcast April 14, 2024

Homeless safe parking may go to voters; project put on hold

Pete Furman
March 20, 2024

Helping people who are experiencing vehicular homelessness is a worthy goal, said Councilor Pete Furman. He wants to help the worker who’s been kicked out of his rental because of short-term rentals or that school kid who is sleeping in their car.

Continue Reading Homeless safe parking may go to voters; project put on hold

Council votes 6-1 to OK car camp for homeless workers

Pete Furman
March 15, 2024

At Furman’s suggestion, the council also directed staff to provide monthly reports on the participants enrolled in the camping program and amended the proposed zone change to limit it to a roughly two-year period running through June 30, 2026. The parcel will revert to the Cultural Park’s original planned development zoning after that date.

Continue Reading Council votes 6-1 to OK car camp for homeless workers

City Council plans homeless camp at Sedona Cultural Park

Pete Furman
January 17, 2024

“I would encourage you to make good progress on benchmarks before the program is approved,” Furman said.

Continue Reading City Council plans homeless camp at Sedona Cultural Park

Sedona City Council rejects own study on OHVs & health

Pete Furman
January 5, 2024

“I’m really quite concerned about this study … Not only did we have experts in the field come out and do a dust study two days after it rained “…“We also know at this point that [Forest Road] 152 and [Forest Road] 525 were closed for parts of this study,”

Continue Reading Sedona City Council rejects own study on OHVs & health

City interviews four candidates for new manager

Pete Furman
December 22, 2023

At the Nov. 29 meeting, Furman again voted against going into executive session to conduct hiring discussions and instead conduct them in public.

“I think the process creation discussions are best done in a public meeting,” Furman said, confirming that his vote was in pursuit of government transparency. “After all, we are setting policy.”

Continue Reading City interviews four candidates for new manager

Sedona City Council moves forward on Uptown parking garage planning

Pete Furman
November 22, 2023

“I’m supportive of us moving forward and getting the number. I am scared to death of it,” Furman said. He also pointed out that charging for garage parking would be a disincentive for redevelopment of existing paid lots.

Continue Reading Sedona City Council moves forward on Uptown parking garage planning

Sedona City Council decides against ESG investment strategy

Pete Furman
October 19, 2023

“It’s not clear to me that now is the right time,” Councilman Pete Furman said. “It’s not our money, it’s other people’s money, and we have a duty, in my opinion, about how we treat that money.”

Continue Reading Sedona City Council decides against ESG investment strategy

Sedona City Council’s lack of transparency in picking our leaders is distressing

Pete Furman
October 15, 2023

We applaud Sedona City Councilman Pete Furman for arguing that the process should be more transparent, not less. The rest of council shouldn’t have anything to hide — unless they do — but without them meeting in public, we’ll never know what they may want to keep secret.

Continue Reading Sedona City Council’s lack of transparency in picking our leaders is distressing

Yavapai County talks OHV use on public lands

Pete Furman
September 30, 2023

Two items Furman wants the state legislature to look at is regulating the speed of OHVs on dirt roads and the volume of use.

Continue Reading Yavapai County talks OHV use on public lands

Council says ‘no’ to public discussion on new city manager

Pete Furman
September 28, 2023

“We all want to honor our obligations under the open meeting law,” Furman told the council. “Nothing in the law says that we have to convene behind closed doors, even for authorized topics, unless the law specifies that we must.

Continue Reading Council says ‘no’ to public discussion on new city manager

Council talks tax trends and STR revenue share

Pete Furman
September 4, 2023

“I keep trying to look at this data to understand the impact of short-term rentals on our community,” Councilman Pete Furman said, examining a graph showing historical changes in revenues. “Why can’t we get this split up between short-term rentals and hotels?”

Continue Reading Council talks tax trends and STR revenue share

Council defers Jablow’s OHV ban pending negotiations

Pete Furman
September 4, 2023

“In a paragraph in the agreement, there’s talk about vehicles monitored by GPS,” Councilman Pete Furman said. “What’s the status of the discussions in the agreement here with our rental companies about whether they are willing to step up and do private enforcement of their private agreements with customers for speed limits?”

Continue Reading Council defers Jablow’s OHV ban pending negotiations

Commend Sedona City Council for its ordinance on new ordinances

Pete Furman
July 31, 2023

We would like to commend Sedona City Councilman Pete Furman and Councilwoman Kathy Kinsella for getting their ordinance on ordinances passed de facto unanimously at the July 11 meeting and thereby requiring new city laws to be read twice.

Continue Reading Commend Sedona City Council for its ordinance on new ordinances

City council increases proposed budget to $85.6 million

Pete Furman
June 29, 2023

“I do ponder a question about whether we should pursue an independent analysis of employee satisfaction somehow, if there isn’t something we’re missing,” Furman said.

Continue Reading City council increases proposed budget to $85.6 million

City council offers to fund 80% of Visitor Center

Pete Furman
June 25, 2023

“I’m not comfortable with an 80-20 split,” Furman added, noting that among the service provider contracts the council had awarded earlier at the same meeting, “nobody is even over 60%” for city funding. However, he said he would agree to 80% funding for one year in a spirit of partnership.

Continue Reading City council offers to fund 80% of Visitor Center

Sedona considers restricting off-road vehicle access on city streets, highways

Pete Furman
May 26, 2023

“I might remind all of us that the Goldwater Institute and the Arizona state legislature didn’t think short-term rentals would be harmful in any way either,” Furman said.

Continue Reading Sedona considers restricting off-road vehicle access on city streets, highways

Council votes to form tourism board, emulate Thelma & Louise

Pete Furman
May 25, 2023

“We’re moving way too fast to create a structure that will be very difficult to alter if we decide a different structure is needed,” Furman advised. “We need much more time and thought about the structure, the mission.”

Continue Reading Council votes to form tourism board, emulate Thelma & Louise

Arabella Spa to move forward after 4-3 approval

Pete Furman
May 13, 2023

“I don’t know why we would think it’s a good idea,” Councilman Pete Furman said, arguing that the application did not meet the city’s Land Development Code requirements because of the absence of a proper traffic analysis.

Continue Reading Arabella Spa to move forward after 4-3 approval

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Why Sedona’s Tourism Bureau Fired Its City Over Destination Marketing

Pete Furman
April 21, 2023

“It got to the point where somebody had to make a bold decision,” said city councilman Peter Furman. “The chamber pulled the trigger first.”

Continue Reading Why Sedona’s Tourism Bureau Fired Its City Over Destination Marketing

City Council Debates Freedom of Speech

Pete Furman
April 13, 2023

“I would rather be on the side of free speech than not,” Furman said.

Continue Reading City Council Debates Freedom of Speech

City council members push pet project

Pete Furman
February 12, 2023

Sedona Dog Park expansion and water use. Policy making is compromise.

Continue Reading City council members push pet project

Letter to Red Rock News Editor: City-Chamber Divorce

Pete Furman
February 6, 2023

Letter to the Editor of the Red Rock News

Continue Reading Letter to Red Rock News Editor: City-Chamber Divorce

City councilors, staff explore splitting Chamber of Commerce from tourism bureau

Pete Furman
January 20, 2023

The Sedona City Council and Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau held a joint meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, to discuss the future relationship between the city and the chamber. Photo by Daulton Venglar/Larson Newspapers The joint work session between the Sedona City Council and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau on…

Continue Reading City councilors, staff explore splitting Chamber of Commerce from tourism bureau

Pete Furman, Brian Fultz, Melissa Dunn elected to Sedona City Council

Pete Furman
August 8, 2022

By Juliana Walter -August 8, 2022 Six candidates vied for the three open spots on the Sedona City Council and by Wednesday morning, the results appear to indicate candidates Pete Furman, Brian Fultz and Melissa Dunn won the seats. The Yavapai County Recorder’s Office estimated at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, that 17,000 early…

Continue Reading Pete Furman, Brian Fultz, Melissa Dunn elected to Sedona City Council

Candidate Essay: Pete Furman will use outcome-based measures to gauge progress

Pete Furman
June 23, 2022

Published June 23, 2022 in the Sedona Red Rock News I’m Pete Furman, candidate for Sedona City Council. I’m running to improve the quality of life for Sedona residents, help protect our environment and maintain local control. Talking with residents and business owners, I hear fears and concerns about a declining quality of life. People…

Continue Reading Candidate Essay: Pete Furman will use outcome-based measures to gauge progress

Candidate Spotlight: Pete Furman has Experience Working in Local Governments

Pete Furman
June 10, 2022

Pete Furman’s Answers to Red Rock News Questions for Sedona City Council Candidates. Published June 10, 2022 in the Sedona Red Rock News How long have you been living in Sedona? I first visited Sedona in 1986, and moved here full-time in March of 2018 with my wife, Lisa Voss. What do you or did…

Continue Reading Candidate Spotlight: Pete Furman has Experience Working in Local Governments

Sedona.Biz Q&A

Pete Furman
May 21, 2022

Interview With Sedona City Council Candidate Pete Furman Sedona Election News: The following is an interview with Sedona City Council candidate Pete Furman. All council candidates have been invited to answer specific questions in relation to their positions and candidacy. See the full interview at: https://sedona.biz/interview-with-sedona-city-council-candidate-pete-furman/

Continue Reading Sedona.Biz Q&A

KAZM Democratic Perspective Interview

Pete Furman
March 7, 2022

Fultz, Furman, Thompson Interview – Podcast March 7, 2022Identifying And Addressing The Issues Facing Sedona. Steve Williamson welcomes three candidates for Sedona City Council: Brian Fultz, Pete Furman, and incumbent John (JT) Thompson. Steve leads the candidates in a wide-ranging discussion that addresses many of the most important issues facing the city. All three offer…

Continue Reading KAZM Democratic Perspective Interview

Letter to the Red Rock News Editor

Pete Furman
February 16, 2022

There’s concern in our community about taxpayer funding for the Chamber of Commerce. Some call to defund the Chamber, while others rally to its defense. The city budget process is the proper venue for this discussion. Thoughtful, fact-based arguments are needed to help us avoid unintended outcomes like increased problems with over-tourism, expanded city government,…

Continue Reading Letter to the Red Rock News Editor

The Man Behind The Mayor

Pete Furman
January 10, 2007

As Chuck Reed’s chief of staff, Pete Furman is part of a new wave of powerful outsiders at City Hall

Continue Reading The Man Behind The Mayor

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